Automated Pre-Demolition Audit for Increased Reusability of Building Materials (APAIR) - A Circular Economy Approach

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The annual global-construction waste is projected to exceed 2.2-billion-tonnes by 2025 (U.S.-Environmental-Protection-Agency, 2021). This waste accounts for over 30% of CO2 emissions which has severe consequences for climate-change. This waste not only has a negative impact on the environment, but it also represents a missed opportunity to recycle-or-reuse valuable materials. The construction-demolition-and-excavation industries are responsible for generating around 60% of the UK's waste, with demolition being a major contributor within the construction industry. Findings suggest construction-and-demolition(C&D) waste amount to over 100 million tonnes annually (Hughes & Salvidge, 2018), and in 2020 alone, the UK generated over 53.6 million tonnes of non-hazardous C&D waste (UK statistics on waste, 2020).Reusing materials have a significant impact on reducing embodied carbon emissions, with potential savings of up to 95% compared to purchasing new products. To address this issue, the UKGBC has implemented a Circular-Economy Guidance for Construction Clients, which includes "Maximise Reuse" as one of its guiding principles (UKGBC, 2019), alongside other policies aimed at reducing waste. The rising awareness of the built-environment sector's impact on the climate has also led to increased pressure on developers to reduce waste generation, and one of the measures implemented to achieve this is Pre-demolition audit.Pre-demolition audit is conducted to help maximise reuse & recycling of materials. While demolition is often necessary for new development and revitalization, it is important to consider the impact on the environment and take steps to minimize waste-generation. Pre-demolition audit is required to support the circular economy statement as part of the planning stage of redevelopment, to promote sustainable building practices, and identify opportunities for cost-savings. However, it is generally a time-consuming process requiring several weeks to complete, depending on the project size. Despite the benefits of pre-demolition audit, the long-time required is often seen as a burden by developers/clients who may view it as a delay in the construction process. This can lead to the temptation to skip this important stage, which can inherently have significant consequences for the environment & economy.This project (APAIR) is aimed at automating the pre-demolition audit process and improving the reusability of construction materials before demolition. APAIR aims to streamline the pre-demolition audit process, by using advanced machine-learning algorithms. it can quickly identify the reusable materials present in a building before demolition. This information is then used to determine which materials can be reused-recycled-repurposed or disposed. APAIR has the potential to revolutionize the demolition-industry.